Nebraska quarterback Taylor Martinez could break Eric Crouch's school record for career total offense Saturday.AP Photo

EAST LANSING — Taylor Martinez passed for only 80 yards in Nebraska's 24-3 win over Michigan State last season, so clearly there was room for improvement.

The dual-threat Cornhuskers quarterback, now in his third year as a starter, is completing a career-high 66 percent of his passes this season, and the Spartans understand he'll be more of a threat with his arm Saturday.

"He's a lot better passing the ball," linebacker Denicos Allen said. "His decision-making is a lot better. I just think he's a smarter quarterback than last year. Just the basic tools a quarterback needs, he's improved on."

Martinez had 13 touchdown passes and eight interceptions while completing 56 percent of his passes.

He had five touchdown passes in Nebraska's season opener this fall against Southern Miss and has thrown at least two TD passes in five of the Cornhuskers' eight games.

Martinez's improved accuracy also has meant fewer turnovers. Aside from three interceptions in Nebraska's loss to Ohio State, he's been picked off just two other times, including once in last week's win over Michigan.

"He's a dynamic quarterback," linebacker Max Bullough said. "He's made great strides passing the ball, staying in the pocket. I've definitely seen him progress as a player."

Said Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio: "The more experience you have, the better you become. He's been under center there for quite some time how. If it's not there, he can pull it down, make a play."

Most of Martinez's big plays over his first two-plus seasons with Nebraska have been with his legs, which is why he 114 yards shy of breaking Eric Crouch's program record for total offense (7,801) even though he's just a junior.

As a freshman in 2010, he nearly rushed for 1,000 yards (965) while averaging 6.0 yards per carry. He rushed for 874 yards last season. Martinez's rushing attempts are down a bit this season, but he's still averaging 4.6 yards per carry.

"He's going to make plays, throwing the ball and with his feet. We've got to be locked in."

Martinez is just the latest dual-threat quarterback Michigan State has faced.

Ohio State's Braxton Miller and Michigan's Denard Robinson are at least partially responsible for two of the Spartans' four losses. Miller is the only player to rush for 100 yards against Michigan State this season, while Robinson engineered a game-winning drive at Michigan Stadium.

Martinez is just the leader of the Big Ten's No. 1 offense in terms of total yards.

"We get excited for challenges like this," said Allen, one of the leaders of the conference's top-ranked defense. "Time to strap it up and see who the true No. 1 is."